The NFL has had enough of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' "antics" related to negotiations on a new contract for Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that a group of team owners sent a letter to Jones' attorney, David Boies, expressing displeasure over Jones' interference in contract talks between Goodell and the league's Compensation Committee. Jones' actions are "detrimental to the league's best interests," the owners wrote in the letter.
MORE: Owners committee says Goodell talks are 'progressing'
Owners accused Jones of, among other things, circulating "outdated" information about the talks in a campaign to slow or scuttle agreement on a new pact with Goodell.
The Times and Journal both speculated the letter is another sign Jones' fellow owners are willing to sanction him, up to attempting to take the Cowboys franchise away from him. Pro Football Talk reported Sunday that owners have discussed the idea of expelling Jones from the league. On Monday they sent Jones a cease-and-desist notice. Jones has continued to make public comments since then.
Jones' intransigence, which has included the threat of a lawsuit against owners and the league, is seen as his response to Goodell suspending Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott for six games for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Jones has been adamant that Elliott did not deserve a ban. Elliott dropped his appeal Wednesday and will begin serving the suspension in Week 12.
Jones, however, has said he's just pushing for greater transparency and owner input in contract negotiations.
Jones is also in disagreement with Goodell over how the league should respond to player protests during the national anthem. Jones has threatened to bench Cowboys players who protest; Goodell is trying to work publicly with both sides.
One major NFL sponsor, Papa John's, blamed a recent decrease in its revenues on Goodell's handling of the protest situation. Papa John's founder John Schnatter apologized Tuesday for the comments.
